Barossa bros, Northern foes

JUST three months ago, Barossa District’s Darren Shillabeer and Jaydn Goodfellow were premiership-winning
team-mates, playing side by side in the Dogs’ grand final win over Gawler Central.
But last weekend they were enemies, as they faced off in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).
Wanderers’ Goodfellow took the bragging rights, as his side recorded a four-goal, come-from-behind win over Shillabeer’s Buffaloes, with the latter slotting four majors on the night.
“Playing against (Shillabeer) was quite interesting,” Goodfellow said.
“I think playing against him made me realise just how good he is – for such a big guy he’s so quick and it
surprises a lot of teams.”
Unsurprisingly, Shillabeer has starred as a fly-in footballer for the Buffaloes this season.
The 2016 Hurn Medallist has kicked 19 majors in four games, including a six-goal haul and best-on-ground
performance against Palmerston last month.
Shillabeer said the level of football is not too different, but there are some obvious differences between Barossa, Light & Gawler footy and the NTFL.
“It’s been really good fun – it’s a really good experience,” he said.
“It’s quite warm up here, but it can really open up on those bigger grounds; in the Barossa we have quite
smallish grounds and it can get congested.
“It can get quite quick up here, some of the indigenous lads are really fast.”
Goodfellow has played two games for the Wanderers, slotting a goal in his side’s clash with Southern Districts.
The Bulldogs’ premiership player said he would recommend playing in the NTFL to anyone.
“Playing in the NT is incredible, I’ve enjoyed my time here a lot – everyone is welcoming, the Wanderers have been amazing to me, looking after me and showing me around,” Goodfellow said.
“The style of footy that’s played over here is so different to the Barossa – it’s a high-intensity, fast, free-flowing game with very few stoppages; they don’t stop running.
“The fact the players can even control the ball, when the humidity keeps it like a bar of soap, is amazing.”
This season, six BL&G players are playing summer footy in the NT – Barossa’s Shillabeer and Goodfellow, South Gawler’s Patrick White and Matthew Trzeciak, Willaston’s Luke Turner and Freeling’s Josh Wilson.
White has played seven matches for Nightcliff, six in the top-level premier league and one in division one.
He’s slotted six goals, including a two-goal performance against Waratah last month.
Fellow Lion Trzeciak has also played five matches for Nightcliff, slotting four majors, including a three-goal, best-on-ground performance against Pint.
Turner has played four premier league matches for Nightcliff, and one in division one, kicking two goals.
Wilson, who last played for the Redlegs in 2015, has played six premier league matches and a division one
game for Wanderers.
He kicked his only two goals of the season in the Wanderers’ 49-point win against the Tiwi Bombers in round three.

Steph Konatar was an intern at The Bunyip during her Bachelor of Journalism degree. After completing her course, Steph moved to Dubbo, NSW, for her first industry job at The Daily Liberal, before moving to Queanbeyan, NSW to pursue her dream of sports journalism. Steph moved back to Adelaide in late 2015 and soon started work at The Bunyip. She plays Aussie rules for West Adelaide and loves basketball and the NBA.